E-Paper
UPA policies make Karuna shy away from Delhi
Though the Congress plans a revamp of the Union Cabinet with the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in mind, DMK chief M Karunanidhi does not seem very enthusiastic about filling up his party's vacancies at the Centre. Shekhar Iyer reports
Though the Congress plans a revamp of the Union Cabinet with the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in mind, DMK chief M Karunanidhi does not seem very enthusiastic about filling up his party's vacancies at the Centre.
Both his sons — MK Stalin and union minister MK Alagiri — who are busy fighting a bitter internal war for control of the party, are not very keen on increasing their party’s representation at the Union level either.
According to inside sources, recent decisions taken by the UPA government — including the hike in diesel prices — has made Karunanidhi weigh the pros and cons of increasing the DMK’s involvement at the national level. His main worry is that Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa may identify the induction of more DMK ministers at this juncture as another handle to hit out at the party.
However, DMK MPs are hoping that their "Thalaivar" (leader) would fufil their aspirations and avail of the positions. Apart from former Union minister TR Baalu, the names of TKS Elangovan and Tiruchi Siva have been doing the rounds.
Both Stalin and Alagiri are not in favour of former union minister TR Baalu — who was not re-inducted in 2009 — joining now, DMK sources said.
A Raja, ex-telecom minister, is said to be against Dalit leader AKS Vijayan, who is a three-time MP from Nagapattinam, filling his place. Kanimozhi may favour Kanniyakumari MP Helen Davidson joining as MoS this time, and contest in her place from the constituency in 2014.
Though Karunanidhi may want his daughter, Kanimozhi, to be rehabilitated in the Union government, this will not be possible as she is yet to be acquitted in the 2G cases. Also, Kanimozhi’s Rajya Sabha term ends in July 2013, and the DMK cannot get her elected again — given its tally in the state assembly.
The DMK has two vacancies in the cabinet, considering that A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran were forced to resign in the wake of the 2G spectrum scam.
Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.
